Orkney Island Council

Household Refuse and Recycling Service Policy

Contents

• Waste and recycling containers
• Additional capacity
• Waste and recycling presentation
• Excess waste
• Missed collections
• Contamination
• Assisted collection service
• Household bulky waste service
• Hazardous materials and special waste

Document control & Council Approval

IMAGE: A document-control table headed “Document control & Council Approval” records the version as “v1/June 2026”, approval by the “General Meeting of the Council” with “TBC 2026”, and the next update due in “June 2031”.

Waste and recycling containers

Households in receipt of an Alternate Weekly Collection Service (AWC) are eligible for the following containers to present their waste and recycling for collection:

• One 240 litre (L) grey wheeled bin for residual (non-recyclable) waste.
• Two 140 L green wheeled bins with blue lids for recyclable materials.

Where AWC is delivered, two additional recycling bins can be requested for each household.

Households not in receipt of an AWC service (non-linked North and South Isles) are provided with an annual allocation of single use black refuse sacks to present waste weekly at the kerbside for collection. No more than three black bags should be presented each week for collection.

Materials permitted in wheeled bins or bags are shown in Table 1. Materials prohibited in these containers are shown in Table 2.

Households receiving AWC can request green boxes and canvas bags instead of wheeled bins if the bins are too difficult to manage or where storage is an issue (see the Alternative Collection section for more details). The containers issued to households remain the property of Orkney Islands Council but households are responsible for their safe storage, cleanliness and safekeeping. If containers are damaged, lost or stolen, households should request a replacement. If a bin becomes damaged through misuse, the Council reserves the right to charge for a replacement.

Recyclable materials from the list in Table 1 must be separated according to their category and presented in an individual green bin for collection.

Caddies are provided for the storage of recycling only and should not be presented for collection either inside or outside the bin. Recycling presented in caddies will not be collected.

Bins must not be stored on a public highway (roads or footpaths).

Households not in receipt of an AWC service (non-linked North and South Isles) can dispose of their recycling at the communal recycling points. Recycling points are usually located at the pier. More details on the location of the recycling points on the isles are provided on Council’s website.

Table 1 - Materials which can be presented at the kerbside

* If you cannot take these items to a local recycling centre.

IMAGE: Table 1 lists materials that can be presented at the kerbside. It divides materials between the grey wheeled bin or refuse sacks for residual waste and the green wheeled bins with blue lids for recyclable waste separated into four categories. The table text is transcribed above in full.

Table 2 - Prohibited materials for each bin/bag

IMAGE: Table 2 lists prohibited materials for the grey wheeled bin or refuse sacks and the green wheeled bins with blue lids. The table text is transcribed above in full.

Alternative collection service

Alternative collection service is provided for households receiving an AWC where the use of wheeled bins is not possible due to lack of access or no storage for bins. These include terraced and rural properties over 75m from a public road, flatted properties (low rise/high rise and in converted properties) or houses of multiple occupancy.

Alternative collection services can be requested by filling in an application form which must be completed in full and returned to the Council. Application form can be obtained from the Council’s Customer Services or on Council’s website.

An alternate collection method will be applied as follows:

• For general waste, the Council will provide residents with a red bag allocation. This is 75 bags per year delivered to each qualifying property annually.
• For recycling, green boxes and green canvas bags will be provided to be presented at each recycling collection. Residents receiving an alternative collection service must still separate materials for recycling.

Residents can apply for additional capacity if they meet the criteria set out in Additional capacity.

The collection frequency and schedule will be the same and is a part of the Alternate Weekly Collection Service (AWC) just using bags/boxes instead of wheeled bins.

Residents will be expected to observe the following guidance:

• The total number of red bags (for residual waste) presented at each collection shall not exceed three. Any red bags above three will be treated as side waste and will not be collected.
• Any green boxes/bags (for recycling) that contain non-recyclable items will be treated as contaminated as outlined in Contamination section.
• For items that do not fit in the red bag, the resident will be required to use the Council’s bulky waste collection service, take these items themselves to their nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre or pay for a licensed waste carrier to collect the waste and dispose of it at a licensed facility.

Services for terraced properties

Where storage is an issue for residents who live in terraced houses, the Council may advise properties or groups of properties to use communal containers for residual waste and recycling instead of individual bins. In such circumstances, residents will decide on their participation but the Council will confirm in writing the location of the communal bins.

Where contamination of the recycling containers becomes significant the Council reserves the right to remove this service from the properties affected (as per Contamination section).

Service for rural properties or where access is difficult

There are geographical locations within Orkney where the use of a standard collection service is not viable due to health and safety risks or a lack of infrastructure. These locations include un-adopted roads, tracks or private drives where the condition, surface and alignment of the highway are unsuitable for the vehicle and manoeuvrability requirements for the collection of the waste and recycling.

To ensure that properties in these locations receive the same level of service, the Council will either recommend the Alternative Collection Method service or seek that all containers or bags are presented by residents at an agreed collection point which will normally be adjacent to a highway or an adopted road.

Additional capacity

The Additional Capacity service applies to households receiving the AWC services utilising wheeled bins and those who qualify for the Alternative Collection Method.

Alternate Weekly Collection Service

Residual Waste

Each household on the Alternate Weekly Collection Service is provided with a standard 240 L grey wheeled bin for residual (non-recyclable) waste. Additional grey residual waste bins can be provided in the following circumstances:

• If a household has 5 to 7 permanent residents, one additional 140 L bin will be provided.
• If a household has 7 or more permanent residents one additional 240 L bin will be provided.
• If a household has two or more children under 3 years old, one additional 140 L bin will be provided.
• If a household has a resident with a medical condition which results in generation of additional waste, additional 140 L or 240 L bins will be provided as required.

Recycling

Each household on the Alternate Weekly Collection Service is provided with two 140 L green wheeled bins with blue lids for recyclable materials. The Council can issue up to four wheeled recycling bins per household in recognition of a commitment to recycle more materials. Alternatively, households can receive two 240 L wheeled bins on request through Council’s Customer Services.

Alternative Collection Service

Residual waste

Each household on the Alternative Collection Service (using red bags) receives an annual allocation of 75 red bags for residual (non-recyclable) waste. Additional red bags can be provided in the following circumstances:

• If a household has 5 to 7 permanent residents, 50 additional bags will be provided each year. This is equivalent to one additional 140 L bin.
• If a household has 7 or more permanent residents 75 additional bags will be provided each year. This is equivalent to one additional 240 L bin.
• If a household has two or more children under 3 years old, 50 additional bags will be provided each year. This is equivalent to one additional 140 L bin.
• If a household has a resident with a medical condition which results in generation of additional waste, additional bags will be provided as required.

The maximum red bag allowance for a household is 150 red bags per year.

Recycling

Each household on the Alternative Collection Service is provided with three canvas bags and a box for recyclable materials. Additional canvas bags and boxes are available to households upon request through Customer Services.

Additional capacity is initially provided for a period of two years, after which the Council will review the allocation to determine if it is still required. Residents with additional capacity allowance must notify the Council if they change address or there is a change in their circumstances that effect their eligibility for this service.

The Council reserves the right to remove additional capacity allowance in the following circumstances:

• Residents are not recycling effectively.
• Residents using additional bins or bags inappropriately.
• Residents are found to have obtained additional containers under false circumstances.
• Residents are no longer eligible for additional containers.

Waste and recycling presentation

All waste and recycling must be presented in containers or bags provided by the Council at the designated collection point. The collection point must be located no more than 2m from the public road. Collection vehicles will not travel on private or unadopted roads.

Containers and bags must be presented no later than 08:00 on the designated collection day. The collection day schedule is available on the Council website. If a container is not presented by 08:00, it may not be collected. Containers should be taken in as soon as possible after collection.

Access to containers should not be restricted by padlocks, chains or bungee cords. If these are present, it is the responsibility of the resident to ensure that they are removed on the collection day for easy access.

Surfaces on which containers need to be moved over for collection must be of a smooth continuous finish and free from steps or other obstacles. Any steps must incorporate a drop-kerb.

Bins can be kept in a bin store either within the curtilage of a property or on the verge so long as they are presented less than 2 metres from the roadside or designated collection point and there is unrestricted access on the collection day.

Waste must not be compacted in the bin to prevent waste getting stuck when being tipped. Excessively heavy bins will not be emptied.

The Council may change a collection point in the following circumstances:

• Road surfaces present an unacceptable risk to the property.
• Collection vehicles cannot access the property safely.
• Presenting the containers is no longer safe for the resident.
• Any other reason relating to the safety and efficiency of the service.

The Council will inform residents of changes to collection days and times, such as during public holidays through one or more media outlets, including the Council website, social media and/or The Orcadian newspaper.

Alternative Collection Method

In households using the Alternative Collection Method, no more than three bags should be presented for collection at any one time. The red bags must be presented in a tidy manner at the same collection point as wheeled bins. The red bags must be securely tied and only contain residual (non-recyclable) waste.

Excess waste

All waste and recycling must be presented in containers and bags provided by the Council. Excess residual waste and recycling that is presented outside of a container will not be collected. No more than three red bags will be collected from any household that qualifies for Alternative Collection.

Any excess waste or recycling that households have can be taken to one of the Household Waste and Recycling Centres or arranged to be collected as a special collection, available at cost through the Council’s Customer Services.

Missed collections

The Council will endeavour to empty bins on the designated collection day.

Where collection is delayed due to unforeseen circumstances (for example, severe weather or a vehicle breakdown), the Council will communicate this through the Council’s social media and advise when the collection will take place.

Where a collection is missed in error and this is reported by a resident through an online form or by phoning Customer Services, the Council will make reasonable efforts to return and empty the bin. Missed collections must be reported no later than two working days after the missed collection.

Where the Council cannot return to collect a missed collection, residents should take their containers in and present them on the next available designated collection day.

Alternatively, residents can take their waste and/or recycling to the Household Waste and Recycling Centres.

Collection crews will not return to empty containers in the following circumstances:

• If the collection crews record that the container has not been presented at the time of collection. The container must be presented on the next available designated collection day. Dashcam footage is used to verify if the container was presented in time for collection.
• If the collection crews report that a recycling container is contaminated. The bin will be tagged to advise the resident. The contamination must be removed by residents. The container must be presented on the next available designated collection day.
• If a resident presents the wrong recycling material. The bin will be tagged to advise the resident. The container must be presented on the next available designated collection day.
• If the collection crews report that a bin is damaged. The bin will be tagged to advise the resident which part of the bin is broken. Residents must order a replacement bin as soon as possible from Customer Services. The broken bin and its contents will be taken away when the replacement bin is delivered.
• If excess waste presented outside of a container was not collected.

Contamination

Recycling containers are provided for the collection of the materials specified in Table 1.

Recycling containers that contain materials other than those listed in Table 1 will not be collected and the bin will be tagged by the crews. When a container is tagged, residents must remove these materials and present the recycling container on the next designated collection day or take the material to the nearest Household Waste and Recycling Centre.

If it is found that recycling containers continue to be contaminated and the Council has made every effort to educate and assist residents at the property, the Council reserves the right to remove recycling containers without notice.

An officer from the Council’s Waste Team will arrange to meet with the household to discuss the options for re-introducing the recycling collection.

If a household has had recycling bins removed owing to ongoing contamination issues, that household cannot apply for additional capacity.

Assisted collection service

The assisted collection service is provided for households where there is no one living at the property who is able to present bins for collection. The service is available to residents receiving Alternate Weekly Collection only.

Assisted collection service can be requested by filling in an application form which must be completed in full and returned to the Council. The application form can be obtained from Customer Services or on the Council’s website.

An assessment will be carried out as part of the application process to establish a collection point accessible to the resident and to the collection crews. A Council Officer may need to contact the resident or visit the property to aid the assessment process and to consider the health and safety risks.

Where assisted collection service is agreed, the crews will collect bins from the collection point and return them to this point after collection.

The collection point must be as close to the highway as is practicably possible and accessible to collection vehicles. The maximum distance from the collection point to where the collection vehicle can safely stop is 20 metres. Collection points must not present any hazard for collection crews (such as rough surfaces, steps or inadequate lighting).

Collection crews will not collect bins from people’s homes or property such as outbuildings or sheds.

Other Council household waste collection policies apply to assisted collections.

Assisted collections are periodically reviewed by the Council with letters sent to all residents who have previously qualified for the service.

If a resident in receipt of assisted waste collection service moves elsewhere in Orkney, they must inform the Council straight away, so that the service can be applied at their new address and the old one removed from the list.

The Council will assess each application for Assisted Collection and reserves the right to decline an application if a suitable collection point cannot be established, or if the provision of the Assisted Collection leads to significant operational difficulties or unreasonable expense for the Council.

If at any time the Council has a reason to believe that the resident no longer meets the criteria for the assisted collection service, the resident may be asked to re-apply and for a re-assessment to be undertaken.

Household bulky waste service

A bulky waste collection service is provided for items that are too bulky for the household kerbside collections. It is available for household waste only and can be booked by filling in a request form on the Council’s website or by contacting Customer Services.

Bulky uplift charges will be set annually and published on the Council’s website.

Bulky items comprise items you take with you when you move to a new house, to differentiate from what may reasonably be considered trade waste rather than household waste.

Items must be able to be safely lifted by 2 people or the item will not be taken. Items must be presented at the usual collection point by 08:00 on the day of collection.

Only items that are on the request form will be collected. A list of items that can and cannot be accepted are available on the Council’s website.

Bulky waste collection service is for domestic waste only. Commercial waste of any kind will not be collected.

Notified or published collection date/time is issued as a guide only as the actual collection can be affected by weather or other operational issues. In the event of any delay, the applicant should seek clarification by contacting Customer Services.

Hazardous materials and special waste

Examples of hazardous or termed in Scotland, ‘Special’ Waste, include:

• Asbestos.
• Chemicals, for example brake fluid and printer toner.
• Electrical equipment with potentially harmful components such as cathode ray tubes – for example computer monitors and televisions.
• Fluorescent light tubes and energy-saving light bulbs.
• Vehicle batteries and other lead-acid batteries.
• Oils (except edible oils), for example engine oil.
• Refrigerators containing ozone-depleting substances solvents.
• Pesticides.

These waste types cannot be disposed of in a household bin but can be disposed of through the Council’s Household Waste Recycling Centres. A full list of suitable disposal locations for each material is available on the Council’s website.

Larger quantities of liquid hazardous waste (typically above 25 litres) are treated as commercial waste and must be disposed of via a suitable qualified commercial waste haulier.